CAUTION: Unnecessary cleaning degrades the reflective surface of the SMR and causes damage to the coatings on silver surfaces that can destroy the SMR. Only clean SMRs when required for proper measurement and accuracy performance, not based on cosmetic conditions.

Check if the SMR Needs Cleaning

If the Laser Tracker Measuring Head does not lock onto the target, use the Operational Checks command to check if your SMR needs cleaning. If the Return Power value is GOOD, your SMR does not need cleaning.

Clean Dust

In some cases, the optical surfaces of the SMR are dusty. You can clean SMRs with canned compressed air.

CAUTION: Do not use compressed air from a workshop compressor hose. Air from a compressor hose is seldom clean and may coat the SMR with oil or other contaminant.

Spray air away from the SMR for a few seconds before spraying it onto the optical surfaces. This removes any propellant in the can from the air nozzle and prevents the propellant from being sprayed onto the SMR’s optical surfaces.

Always hold the can upright.

Never shake the can when spraying compressed air.

Clean Residue

If the SMR is still not functional after removing dust, follow these steps.

CAUTION: Never use a dry cotton swab or tissue to clean SMR optical surfaces. Dry swabs and tissues scratch the optical surfaces. Also, cleaning with improper materials and chemicals can destroy the reflective surface. Click here for links to articles about proper materials and chemicals.

Breathe on the optical surfaces. The moisture in your breath forms a layer of condensation on the glass surface.

While condensation is still on the glass surface, gently slide a clean cotton swab in one direction while rotating it in the opposite direction. Use very little pressure, do not push the cotton swab onto the surface. Use one cotton swab for each pass and then discard it. You may need several swabs to clean the optical surfaces thoroughly. Using a cotton swab more than one time can cause debris to scratch the coatings and on silver SMRs, a scratch can lead to oxidation under the coatings and destroy the SMR.

If this does not successfully remove the residue, clean the optical surfaces with Optima grade acetone for oil based residue or denatured alcohol for water based residue.

Moisten a clean cotton swab with solvent.

Gently slide the cotton swab in one direction while rotating it in the opposite direction. Use very little pressure, do not push the cotton swab onto the surface. Use one cotton swab for each pass and then discard it. You may need several swabs to clean the optical surfaces thoroughly.